2008 Woodie Awards
Starbucks raises price for water, coffee refills
Kenneth Long
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: News
Starbucks patrons will hand over a few extra coins at the register as the coffee shop recently raised its price for coffee refills and began charging for cups of water.
Starbucks manager Pat Cottrell said the reason for the rise in prices comes from a large influx of free water customers.
"When we were just handing out three or four (free waters), there wasn't a problem," Cottrell said. "When we had to give out fifty a day, then we're starting to lose money."
The price for a venti-sized glass of water is now at 37 cents.
"We have to pay for the cups, lids and straws, among other things," Cottrell said.
Sophomore business administration major Richard Munsterman of Jerseyville said he agrees with Starbuck's sudden charge for water.
"The goal for any business is to cut losses," Munsterman said. "It's justified."
Coffee has also seen a higher price, rising from 53 cents to 80 cents. Cottrell said this stems from a dishonest streak of certain customers.
"A few people had started digging used coffee cups from the trash cans and tried to get 'refills,'" Cottrell said.
Not only does this dumpster-diving practice lower profits, Cottrell said, but it also goes against Starbucks sustainability efforts.
"We encourage people to buy the tumblers and mugs," Cottrell said. "There is less waste produced."
MBA graduate student Lisa Grummel of Carrolton said fishing the used coffee cups out of trashcans was both strange and dishonest.
"Getting cups out of the trash is a little disturbing," Grummel said. "That's fair that they're charging more."
Cottrell said the price in vanilla beans has gone down for the store, lowering the price of a vanilla bean frappuccino by 10 cents. She also said the SIUE Starbucks will not be affected by the recent downsizing of the coffee chain, closing 600 stores.
"We aren't going anywhere as long as I don't get a yellow slip in the mail today," Cottrell said.
Starbucks manager Pat Cottrell said the reason for the rise in prices comes from a large influx of free water customers.
"When we were just handing out three or four (free waters), there wasn't a problem," Cottrell said. "When we had to give out fifty a day, then we're starting to lose money."
The price for a venti-sized glass of water is now at 37 cents.
"We have to pay for the cups, lids and straws, among other things," Cottrell said.
Sophomore business administration major Richard Munsterman of Jerseyville said he agrees with Starbuck's sudden charge for water.
"The goal for any business is to cut losses," Munsterman said. "It's justified."
Coffee has also seen a higher price, rising from 53 cents to 80 cents. Cottrell said this stems from a dishonest streak of certain customers.
"A few people had started digging used coffee cups from the trash cans and tried to get 'refills,'" Cottrell said.
Not only does this dumpster-diving practice lower profits, Cottrell said, but it also goes against Starbucks sustainability efforts.
"We encourage people to buy the tumblers and mugs," Cottrell said. "There is less waste produced."
MBA graduate student Lisa Grummel of Carrolton said fishing the used coffee cups out of trashcans was both strange and dishonest.
"Getting cups out of the trash is a little disturbing," Grummel said. "That's fair that they're charging more."
Cottrell said the price in vanilla beans has gone down for the store, lowering the price of a vanilla bean frappuccino by 10 cents. She also said the SIUE Starbucks will not be affected by the recent downsizing of the coffee chain, closing 600 stores.
"We aren't going anywhere as long as I don't get a yellow slip in the mail today," Cottrell said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Bill Jamison
posted 7/09/08 @ 12:23 PM CST
I know Starbucks is "trendy", Seattle based and "cool" bujt the coffee sucks! I've had 3 kinds and paid 4 times too much for it. McDonald's has the answer. (Continued…)
Ray Fultz
posted 7/09/08 @ 8:40 PM CST
Hey...just register your Starbucks card and the refills are free. Simple.
Lemonade Diet
posted 7/14/08 @ 6:07 AM CST
Instead of charging more, they should get those trashcans where you can throw stuff in it but you cannot put your hand in it. That way people cannot take the cups out of the trash. (Continued…)
Post a Comment